Derbyshire classic car auction includes vehicles once owned by the Queen Mother and Edward VIII

A classic car devotee is parting with the collection of 16 vintage Humber vehicles – including one used by the Queen Mother and another by Edward VIII and Wallace Simpson.

Allan Marshall, 64, from Hull, is auctioning off his remarkable collection because of spiraling maintenance and storage costs.

One vehicle being sold belonged to the Queen Mother.

The 1952 Super-Snipe MKIII delivered her to church during the reign of her husband, King George VI, and bears a lasting memento.

Her finger nails are believed to have made marks on the grab handles inside the car.

And another car in the sale – which Allan found in a Northamptonshire scrapyard – turned out to be the one used by Edward VIII and Wallace Simpson, later known as the Duchess of Windsor to get around London in secret.

American musician Madonna also requested use of Allan’s Wallis Simpson Humber for W.E. – a 2011 film about the royal couple.

Allan said: “The Wallis Simpson Humber has always been popular with Americans because she was the closest thing they ever really had to a queen.

“When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot it gained lots of attention as people saw their marriage as history repeating itself.”

Allan has welcomed visitors from all over the world to see his unrivaled fleet of legendary vehicles, including celebrities like Jools Holland, Sir Stirling Moss and Michael Aspel.

Allan said: “I’ve even had a letter from Prince William and Kate as, ahead of their wedding.

“I won a competition to decide which car was fit for a queen. I entered the Humber and it won.”

Other highlights in the sale include a Humber Imperial built for King George VI, who sadly died before it could be delivered.

The king took delivery of his first Humber in 1935 and was so impressed he ordered 47 to be sent to British embassies around the world.

Every prime minister of the day arrived at Downing Street in a Humber.

Also up for auction is a 1967 Imperial saloon used in 1978 film The Big Sleep starring Robert Mitchum.

The auction is online only on Friday, April 24 at 7pm, to take part click here.